Nut-lock



No. 620,879. Patented Mar. l4; I899. H. B. BAUMGARDNEB.

UNITED STATES PAT T" OFFICE.

HARRY B. BAUMGARDNER, OF POTTSGROVE, PENNSYLVANIA.

N UT-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,879, dated March14, 1899. Application filed November 23, 1898. Serial No. 697,236 (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY B. BAUMGARD- NER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Pottsgrove, in the county of Northumberland andState of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Nut-Lock, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved nutlock; and it has for its objectto provide simple and efficient means for securely locking the nut onthe bolt and also for releasing the same when it is desired to removethe nut from the bolt. I To this end the present invent-ion consists inthe combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter morefully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a bolt and nut havingthe improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionalview thereof. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the nut, showing the spring-pawldisengaged. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the disengagingthumb-piece.

Corresponding parts are denoted by like reference characters in all thefigures of the drawings.

' Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates an ordinarythreaded bolt having a plurality of longitudinal grooves 2 formedtherein, and an ordinary nut 3. This nut is provided across one facethereof and to one side of its threaded bore with a recess 4, openinginto the threaded bore, as at 5, intermediate its ends. The pawl ispreferably formed of a single length of spring metal bent intermediateits ends, forming the spring-pawl 6 and the attaching-arm 7. The end ofthe pawl is preferably beveled, as at 8, to insure a positive engagementwith the grooves of the bolt. The arm 7 is seated in the recess 4,extending the entire length thereof, and the free end of the spring-pawlextends through the opening 5 and into the bore of the nut. To hold thepawl securely in the recess, the ends of the latterare upset against thepawl, which provides "a simple and effective means for mounting thespring-pawl. The nut being thus equipped with the pawl may be screwedupon the bolt; but a reverse movement of the nut will engage the freeend of the pawl with one of the grooves 2, as will be understood,

and prevent further turning of the nut in the latter direction. Todisengage the pawl, a releasing-key in the form of a thumb-piece isprovided, which is shown in detail in Fig. 4. This releasing-key isformed from a single length of metal comprising a horizontal body 9,having one end 10 bent at approximately right angles thereto and formingan operating-lever, and the other end is formed into a stop-shoulder 11,extending in the opposite direction from the lever 10. One edge of theshoulder 11 is curved or beveled, as at 12. The body 9 is mounted in agroove or notch 13 formed transversely across the recess 4 and beneaththe spring-pawl 6, the stop-shoulder engaging against the inner edge ofthe pawl, with the lever 12 extending across the face of the nut. Thepawl may be disengaged by throwing the lever 10 away from the bolt,which turns the body of the thumb-piece under the pawl and, acting as acam, lifts the end of the pawl out of the groove in the bolt and thusreleases the nut. The shoulder 11 is disposed across the inner edge ofthe pawl and prevents displacement of the thumbpiece, and the bevelededge 12 is normally disposed toward the bolt to permit of the shoulderturning with the thumb-piece.

By reason of the retaining connection between the pawl and thereleasing-key the latter is normally carried by the nut, thereby alwaysbeing in position for use.-

By the combination and arrangement of the several parts as herein setforth a simple and improved means is provided for disengaging the pawl,and this means is permanently carried by the nut.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction andarrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope orsacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. Thecombination in a nut-lock comprising a bolt having a groove therein, anda nut having a spring-pawl adapted to engage the groove, of anaxially-movable releasing-key having a retaining connection with thespringpawl whereby the key is normally carried by the nut, andaccidental displacement thereof is prevented, and the key being adaptedto exert a cam action against the pawl, substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. The combination in a nut-lock comprising a bolt having a plurality oflongitudinal grooves formed therein, and a nut having a spring-pawl, ofa oross-sectionally flat rocking releasing-key com prising a body,a thumblever at one end, and a stop-shoulder at the other end thereof, thebody being mounted transversely beneath and in engagement with the pawl,the stop-shoulder engaging the inner edge of the pawl and the leverextending across the face of the nut, the engagement of the shoulderwith the pawl forming a means whereby the releasing-key is normally heldin place, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination in a nut-lock comprising a bolt having a plurality oflongitudinal grooves formed therein, a nut having a recess provided inone face,and a spring-pawl mounted in said recess, of a rockingthumb-piece comprising a body having a thumb-lever at one end and astop-shoulder at the other end, one edge of the shoulder being roundedor beveled, the body of the thumb-piece being mounted in the recesstransversely beneath and engaging the pawl, the stop engaging the inneredge thereof and the lever extending across one face of nut, saidthumb-piece being adapted to be turned'to disengage the pawl, thebeveled portion of the shoulder facilitating the turning thereof,substantially as shown and described.

4:- In a nut-lock, the combination with a bolt having a longitudinalgroove formed therein, and a nut having a recess formed in its outerface and intersecting the bore thereof, and provided with a notch formedtransversely in the lower Wall of the recess, and a pawl mounted in therecess, of a rocking releasing-key having a stop-shoulder at its innerend, the key being mounted in the notch of the recess beneath and inengagement with the pawl, and the stop-shoulder engaging the inner edgethereof, whereby the key is normally carried by the nut, substantiallyas shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY B. BAUMGARDNER.

Witnesses:

THOMAS J. PAINTER, J. W. V AN KIRK.

